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pretty depressing bro. people say teaching your child religion is child abuse but teaching your child that your life is no more important than a maggot isn't???

What an amazing mischaracterization of Atheism. If you can't dispute it directly, distort the view to make it seem different than it really is. I'm talking about your little quip at the end, not the video. I'm not going to give some crazy person's rant a hit on youtube...

If I could take your pain and frame it, and hang it on my wall,
maybe you would never have to hurt again...

What an amazing mischaracterization of Atheism. If you can't dispute it directly, distort the view to make it seem different than it really is. I'm talking about your little quip at the end, not the video. I'm not going to give some crazy person's rant a hit on youtube...

Is it really a mischaracterization? I understand it was a poor attempt by the OP to demonize Atheism, but if you dont believe in an after life/meaning to life, then is a humans life any more significant than that of an insects?

Is it really a mischaracterization? I understand it was a poor attempt by the OP to demonize Atheism, but if you dont believe in an after life/meaning to life, then is a humans life any more significant than that of an insects?

I think the inherent value of life is subjective and reliant on that particular person's ideologies. However, evolutionarily speaking, organisms tend to take care of their own species when confronted with an issue of survival. So scientifically speaking, all humans are going to value other humans moreso than other species. Atheism is rooted in evolutionary theory, so yes, I do believe it is a mischaracterization...

I think the inherent value of life is subjective and reliant on that particular person's ideologies. However, evolutionarily speaking, organisms tend to take care of their own species when confronted with an issue of survival. So scientifically speaking, all humans are going to value other humans moreso than other species. Atheism is rooted in evolutionary theory, so yes, I do believe it is a mischaracterization...

That's the key TBH. As you said, Atheism is based on evolutionary theory, whereas I would look at it from a philosophical perspective.

That's the key TBH. As you said, Atheism is based on evolutionary theory, whereas I would look at it from a philosophical perspective.

It is both I think. I don't think any Atheist would argue that there is an enormous philosophical component to their beliefs regarding Atheism. Evolution has some answers, but not all of them. That leaves a sizable portion of life open to interpretation. However, a huge portion of Atheism is rooted in evolutionary theory. Richard Dawkins' books are amazing reads if someone wants to weed through countless scientific journals and focus on what is relevant in relation to evolution and Atheist philosophies.

I think everyone should read, or at least thumb through, 2 of Dawkins' books: The God Delusion and The Greatest Show on Earth. Both are immensely informative and are an extremely accurate window into the mind of an Atheist. If so, I think it would save people like the OP here from making ridiculous claims about what Atheism is...

Not believing in an afterlife makes your life on earth more important to you IMO.

Agreed completely.

It also makes you more cognizant of what you're doing to the Earth. I read somewhere that Evangelical Christians don't think it's particularly important to take care of our environment since this is just a temporary place to live before going to heaven. A pretty wreckless way to look at things if you ask me...

Not believing in an afterlife makes your life on earth more important to you IMO.

Perhaps, I do see the reasoning as you can say its your only shot at life, etc. However, it can also make you uneasy depending on what way you look at it. I mean, some will embrace it like you said, but others may become fearful, apprehensive, etc and the prospects of this life is be a slave to society and having little control on your life. Also if your prone to depression/stress, live in poverty, a life of sickness, then its not a very attractive prospect either.

At least with faith in a higher being, you do have the comfort zone that your life does have meaning and that every action you take is vital to your salvation. I'm personally not trying to take a certain side on this, just trying to put out different lines of thought.